Deleted Process on Mac

What is a 'deleted' process on macOS

If you review the list of working programs in Activity Monitor in your macOS, you may notice the attachment deleted in the executable path. Don’t worry, this isn’t a virus or bug, but a common thing for macOS, pointing out that a file used by a running process has been removed or deleted while the process is still running in memory.  

In simple terms, a deleted process on Mac means that the program is saved in memory and still running, but the core file that launched this program has been replaced or removed. Thus, macOS shows you that the program is trying to use non-existent data.  

What causes the 'deleted' process Mac error

The deleted error on your Mac isn’t an error in the strict sense, but an information indicator. It may appear due to some common reasons:

• Failed app uninstalls. It happens if you don’t remember how to delete app files on Mac and instead remove an app by dragging it to the Trash without deleting its associated components, which continue attempts to run. As the app is removed, the system can’t trace the path. This is why it causes a deleted process.
• System updates. During the macOS updates, the system replaces or moves a lot of files, including binaries and background data. However, some processes may still be active during updates, resulting in a deleted error in Activity Monitor.
• Third-party daemons. A daemon is a background process that works without a direct user’s command. It is used by non-Apple apps like VPN, antivirus tools, printer or scanner software, and audio utilities. Such daemons run automatically at startup, even if the main app isn’t launched. If the app is removed or updated while the daemon wasn’t properly stopped, the system may still try to run it. If the binary is corrupt, the daemon may show a deleted process message. A handy tip here is to periodically review how to clear temp files in Mac.
• Leftover launch agents. These are configuration files used by macOS for the automatic launch of background processes or helper options. These files are used by apps like Zoom, Adobe, Dropbox, clipboard managers, and others. If you delete an app by dragging it to the Trash, the launch agents are usually left. As a result, the process remains in memory, the system tries to run it, but the file path is invalid, which results in a deleted process.

Should you worry about the deleted process

In most cases, the deleted process is a harmless and temporary thing. It’s an indicator that macOS is tracking the process that has been removed or distorted. Still, this error’s persistent presence or high resource usage may require attention. Awareness of the right time when to ignore a deleted process or dive deeper can help your Mac run smoothly and efficiently.  

Common symptoms and impact of the deleted process

Though a deleted process is often a benign notification, if it appears frequently and uses a lot of system resources, it may be followed by some common symptoms:

• High CPU usage
• Fan noise
• System instability
• Performance issues

1. High CPU usage

This is one of the most frequent signs of a troublesome deleted process. Let’s remind you that the CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the command center of your MacBook. CPU usage shows how hard your laptop’s brain is working at this moment. When CPU usage is extremely high, your Mac’s fan gets too loud, your Apple device feels hot to the touch, all the processes run slowly, and the battery drains quickly.  

This issue occurs when the system tries to fulfill the task after the main app has been removed, which is why it uses a lot of CPU.  

2. Fan noise

A force restart MacBook helps to solve a number of issues, sometimes even a loud fan noise, which is another symptom of a problematic deleted process. As a deleted process uses too much CPU, the system temperature remains high, causing the fan to give a cooling response.  

3. System instability  

In this category we refer to unexpected crashes, slow or uncommon Mac’s performance, strange pop-ups or error messages. These symptoms appear if your macOS tries to run deleted processes, as their Launch Agents or daemons remain in memory.  

4. Performance issues

These issues include slow startup or shutdown, unresponsive or laggy performance while fulfilling some basic tasks and can lead to the spinning Beach Ball Cursor, and typing or scrolling delays. A deleted process is one of the reasons for performance issues, as it continues to create system pressures.  

A note from our experts:

 

As a deleted process is a common but rather confusing issue, it is better to find an available and effective solution. Consider MacKeeper’s Memory Cleaner as an excellent tool for this task. It helps you find inactive processes, including deleted ones, frees up RAM, and optimizes memory usage in just a few seconds.

 

Take these steps to resolve a deleted process using MacKeeper’s Memory Cleaner:

1. Download and launch the MacKeeper app.
2. Choose the Memory Cleaner tool from the left sidebar ➙ Open.
3. Review the results ➙ click Clean Memory.  

How to fix deleted process issue on Mac

If you come across a deleted process that requires investigation and an effective solution, there are several available ways, not only to clean reinstall macOS. I suggest you try the following simple methods to fix a deleted process issue on your Mac:

• rebooting and resetting system
• deleting temporary and cache files
• reinstalling macOS

1. Rebooting and resetting system

This is a simple but effective solution. Rebooting may terminate the process if it’s no longer needed, clearing temporary files, and leftovers that failed to shut down properly.  

Follow these steps to reboot macOS:

1. Click the Apple menu ➙ choose the Restart option.
2. Launch Activity Monitor to check if a deleted process disappears.

2. Deleting temporary and cache files

Many apps create temporary and cache files to make a program work faster, but when incorrectly removing an app, these files remain and cause issues, as depicted in the above section. It is highly recommended to remove system junk, logs, and temp files that might keep the deleted process alive.

Here are some instructions on how to remove temporary and cache files:

1. Quit unwanted apps.
2. Open Finder ➙ choose Go to Folder.
3. Type ~/Library/Caches/ ➙ click Enter.
4. Choose folders that belong to removed apps ➙ press Command+Delete combination.

3. Reinstalling macOS or performing system recovery

If the above methods don’t solve the issue, try reinstalling macOS. This process replaces broken components, keeping your personal data safe.  

Do the following to reinstall your macOS:

1. Restart your Mac.
2. Hold Command + R.
3. Choose Reinstall macOS.

If nothing else works, try a system recovery that presupposes wiping all the data from your device and reinstalling a clean macOS version.

Follow these steps to perform system recovery:

1. Restart your Mac ➙ hold Command + R.
2. Open Disk Utility ➙ select the startup disk ➙click Erase.
3. Choose Reinstall macOS in the Utilities window.

Conclusion

The deleted process is a complication that affects your Mac’s performance and drives you crazy. Fortunately, we found an efficient and reliable solution. Let MacKeeper’s Memory Cleaner remove unused RAM, clear out leftovers from deleted apps, and make your Mac run smoothly in just a few clicks.